at Edinburgh, _anno_ 1643, they, upon
a motion from Sir Archibald Johnston their clerk, emitted a declaration
for joining with the English parliament for a variety of reasons, of
which these were the sum and substance. "(1.) They apprehend the war is
for religion. (2.) The protestant faith is in danger. (3.) Gratitude for
the assistance in the time of the former reformation required a suitable
return. (4.) Because the churches of Scotland and England being embarked
in one bottom, if the one be ruined, the other cannot subsist. (5.) The
prospect of an uniformity between the two kingdoms in discipline and
worship, will strengthen the protestant interest at home and abroad.
(6.) The present parliament had been friendly to the Scots, and might be
so again. (7.) Though the king had so lately established religion
amongst them, according to their desire, yet they could not confide in
his royal declaration, having so often found his actions and promises
contradictory the one to the other, &c." These the estates took in
good part, and suggested other reasons of their own, as they saw proper.

Toward the latter end of this assembly, upon the arrival of the
commissioners from the parliament and assembly at Westminster, the Scots
assembly, by an act of session 14, commissioned Messrs. Henderson,
Douglas, Rutherford, Bailey and Gillespie ministers, John earl of
Cassils, John lord Maitland, and Sir Archibald Johnston of Warriston,
ruling elders, or any three of them, whereof two should be ministers,
"to repair to the kingdom of England, and there to deliver the
declaration sent to the parliament of England, and the letter sent to
the assembly of divines, now sitting in that kingdom, and to propound,
consult, treat and conclude with that assembly, or any commissioner
deputed, or any committee or commissioner deputed by the house of
parliament, in all matters which may further the union of this island,
in one form of church-government, one confession of faith, one
catechism, one directory for the worship of God, according to the
instructions they have received from the assembly, or shall receive from
time to time hereafter, from the commissioners of the assembly deputed
for that effect."--This commission was again renewed by several acts of
the subsequent assemblies, till the year 1648.--And it appears, that
lord Warriston did not only use all diligence as a member of the
Westminster assembly, for bringing about the uniformity of religi